Oct. 11, 1920 — Oct. 29, 2014

Agnes “Ag” Mary Sarabyn, 94, of Dowagiac, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014, at The Timbers of Cass County in Dowagiac.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac, officiated by Father Kevin Covert. Family and friends will gather before the mass at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St. in Dowagiac from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery on Praire Ronde Street in Dowagiac with a luncheon immediately following the committal service back at the church.

Ag’s life began on Oct. 11, 1920, in Michigan City, Indiana, the daughter of Sebastian and Marie (Wenger) Hampel. She married Charles W. Sarabyn on March 5, 1946, in Michigan City, Indiana, right after World War II, a day after Charles returned home. Ag was a parishioner of Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac and was a charter member of the Holy Maternity of Mary Civitan Club. She also belonged to the Monday Angels and volunteered her time at the Dowagiac Nursing Home (The Timbers) for many years. In addition to her church and volunteering activities, Ag ran her own version of a Sunshine organization. She sent cards and handwritten notes, made phone calls, sent special news and spiritual clippings and anonymous donations to family, friends, associates and even strangers. An envelope in the mail from her was intended to bring joy, support, surprise, or just to let someone know that someone was thinking of them. She was also a past member of the Dowagiac Elks Lodge Antlerettes. She enjoyed sharing her time and doing volunteer work to help others. She worked briefly at the Dowagiac Library as well.

Her loving family includes a daughter, Bonnie Jean “BJ” Bond of Pompano Beach, Florida; and a son, Charles (Susan) D. Sarabyn of Coconut Creek, Florida. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Shannon (David) Wright, Kelly (Rod) Bates and Melissa (Major George V) Cushman; also by her great-grandchildren, George Cushman VI, Lorelei Cushman, Brooke and AJ Wright and Roland Bates; and one sister, Marge Lazynski of Michigan City, Indiana.

She is preceded in death by her late husband, Charles Sarabyn; and her parents.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church of Dowagiac. Please take an opportunity to sign her guestbook and leave a condolence or memory of Ag at www.clarkch.com.